Method of playing a gifted game

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides methods for sending and receiving an online game shared amongst a plurality of recipients whom may collect awards from each other via electronic funds transfers. In a preferred embodiment, a game randomly distributes a predetermined amount of electronic funds amongst selected recipients, as described in more detail below.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent 61/628,260filed on Oct. 27, 2011, and entitled “Method of Operating A Gift Game”.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of this application may contain materials subject to copyrightprotection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction ofthis material in the same form as filed with the U.S. Patent andTrademark Office, but all other copyright rights are reserved.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods of operating an online gameand, more specifically, a game in which a first person sends an onlinegame to one or more other persons whom receive awards based upon gameoutcomes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous service providers for online social games (e.g.Zynga, Playfish) and electronic funds transfers (e.g. PayPal, Xoom).These services are used throughout the world but rarely, if ever, usedtogether to exchange funds between game players.

There is a need and opportunity, therefore, to expand the range ofonline products and services to include methods for playing online gamesthat offer electronic funds transfers between the game players.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention provides methods for sending and receiving anonline game shared amongst a plurality of recipients whom may collectawards from each other via electronic funds transfers. In a preferredembodiment, a game randomly distributes a predetermined amount ofelectronic funds amongst selected recipients, as described in moredetail below.

A game is selected from a plurality of games that use random events togenerate results. For example, a game comprised of a wheel divided intoa plurality of segments with each segment displaying an award value. Thegame then issues the award value indicated at the end of each wheelspin. Alternatively, the game may use elements of skill, such ashand-eye coordination, or knowledge, such as memorization of trivia.Further alternative embodiments may allow the selection of more than onegame, including multiple selected games of the same or difference typeor value. For example, two games of chance and one trivia game may beselected.

The selected game is purchased and associated with a prize value. Forexample, a selected game must be purchased for $5.00 USD and associatedwith a $5.00 USD prize value. Alternatively, any real or virtualcurrency, loyalty program point system, customer relationship program,product or service may be associated with a selected game. In a furtheralternative embodiment, the purchase price may not match the prizevalue. For example, a $5.00 USD purchase price may generate a $4.00 USDprize value or a $10.00 prize value.

The selected game is then transmitted via internet to one or morerecipients. For example, twelve recipients are selected from a list ofrecipients and notified via an email invitation. The email containscredentials to enter a secure server-system to read the card and playthe game. Alternatively, any number of recipients may be selected toreceive a card and game via any electronic means, such as stand-aloneapplications, downloadable games, and application programminginterfaces. Further alternative embodiments may require that at leastone of the game recipients not be the game purchaser. And furtherembodiments require that none of the game recipients may be the gamepurchaser.

Recipients play the selected game individually in a predetermined order.For example, the twelve recipients selected above may be ordered by dateof birth and play the game one-at-a-time from oldest to youngest.Alternatively, recipients may be ordered in any fashion from manualselection to automatic sorting by any category or preference. Furtheralternative embodiments may allow individual or group play by recipientsin first-come, first-serve order. And even further embodiments providefor playing a game at simultaneous, sequential, or overlapped times.

The selected game randomly distributes a fraction of the total prizevalue. For example, the selected game may distribute $1.50 USD out ofthe total $5.00 USD value. After each play, the selected game retainsthe remaining value. For example, the selected game retains $3.50 USDafter the distribution of $1.50 USD out of the total $5.00 USD value.The selected game distributes random fractional values that cannotexceed one (1). Alternatively, the game may award fractional valuesabove one (1) and, therefore, provide awards greater than the initialpurchase price. For example, a $5.00 game may award $500 USD, or 100times purchase price. Further alternative embodiments may allowreduction of the total monetary value by a fraction of the distributionamount. For example, a distribution of $1.00 USD may only reduce thetotal monetary value by $0.50 USD. In further embodiments, the totalmonetary value may reset to a predetermined value upon the occurrence ofcertain conditions. For example, distribution of more than 85% of thetotal monetary value may cause the total monetary value to reset back to100% of the original amount.

The selected game continues until no total prize value remains todistribute. For example, a selected game with $5.00 USD prize valuecontinues until $0.00 USD prize value remains. Alternatively, a selectedgame may continue until a predetermined or random amount of prize valueremains. Further embodiments may allow a selected game to continue untilone or more awards of a predetermined value issue. For example, aselected game may continue until a first award over $0.10 issues. Infurther embodiments, a selected game may continue until a predeterminednumber of recipients play. For example, a selected game may allow eachrecipient to play once. And in a further embodiment, a selected game maycontinue until a predetermined time period expires. For example, aselected game may continue for one day.

The purchases and prizes are awarded via electronic funds transfer. Forexample, purchases may be completed using VISA, an online credit cardtransaction service, and prizes may issue using PayPal, an onlineelectronic funds transfer service. Alternatively, purchases and prizesmay also be awarded via codes, cards, and other physical devices. Forexample, a prize may be awarded by printing out a bar code or couponthat is redeemable at a store or via gift card. A fee may be charged forthe issuance of some awards.

Computer & Networks

The preceding summary of invention operates via program proceduresexecuted on a computer system or network of computer systems. A computersystem has a computer with any number or combination of processingunits, such as CPUs, and storage devices, such as floppy disk drive,hard disk drive, DVD/CD ROM, display monitor, and input devices, such askeyboard and mouse. A computer system may be replaced by, or combinedwith, any suitable processing system, including hand-held,laptop/notebook, mini, mainframe and super computers.

Communications between computer systems or networks of computer systemsmay occur utilizing the Internet. The use of the Internet is exemplaryonly and any suitable communications network may be substituted withoutdeparting from the principles of the present invention. For example, amain game server may be located on one computing node or terminal andvarious players may interface with the main game server via the Internetand play the game from remotely located PCs. In this manner, a gameowner may be able to attract players located at remote parts of thecountry or world.

Features & Advantages

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thespecification and the appended claims seek to cover all such featuresand advantages which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.Since numerous variations will readily occur to those skilled in theart, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact constructionand operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitablemodifications may be resorted to. It is important, therefore, that theclaims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.

1. A method of playing a game operated using computer processorsconnected via a computer network comprising: a. purchasing a game withan award; b. selecting a plurality of recipients; c. sending the game tothe recipients; d. determining a play sequence amongst the recipients;e. determining the game outcomes for recipients; f. issuing some or allof the award to recipients based upon the results of the game; and g.returning the balance of the award, if any, to the purchaser.
 2. Amethod claim 1 in which the recipients continue to play the game inaccordance with the determined play sequence until the total value ofawards issued is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
 3. Amethod of claim 1 in which the recipients continue to play the game inaccordance with the determined play sequence until a predeterminednumber of awards are issued to a predetermined number of recipients. 4.A method of claim 1 in which game issues awards that may exceed thepurchase price of the game.
 5. A method of claim 1 in which game issuesawards that may not exceed the purchase price of the game.
 6. A methodof claim 1 in which the game is an online game downloadable from theinternet, operated using a computer network across the internet, andplayed via internet users' handheld, mobile, desktop, laptop, or othercomputer devices.
 7. A method of claim 1 in which the game result isgenerated by one or more of the following methods: a. a random numbergenerator; b. knowledge-based input; or c. skill-based means
 8. A methodof claim 1 in which at least one of the game recipients is not the gamepurchaser.